Rug guard for suction cleaner nozzle



Sept. 16, 1958 v E. J. KASPER RUG GUARD FOR SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE Filed 001:. 27', 1955 INVENTOR. Elmer J lfak wer Ma ATTORNEYS United States RUG GUARD FDR SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE Application October 27, 1955, Serial No. 543,109

4 Claims. (Cl. 15-360) This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly it pertains to an attachment for cleaning rugs having a shaggy nap, such as loop-type cotton rugs.

Attachments and nozzles for tank-type suction cleaners are commonly used for cleaning rugs. Ordinarily a nozzle is moved over a rug with comparative ease, because most rugs have sufficient body to resist excessive arching into the nozzle caused by the high suction created therein.

However, some rugs, such as cotton shag rugs, do not have sufficient body to prevent the rug material from entering the nozzle. For this reason, the rug is pulled an excessive distance into the nozzle, creating greater resistance and making it difiicult, if not impossible, to slide the nozzle over the rug.

The problem is further complicated by the fact thatmost nozzles for cleaning rugs include a floating brush for supplemental cleaning by agitating dirt in the rug. The difficulty of cleaning shag rugs is increased where a nozzle brush is used.

One proposal to overcome the problems of cleaning shag rugs includes an attachment that fits into the mouth of the nozzle to provide a greater contact surface at the ends of the nozzle for holding the rug fiat when the nozzle passes over it. A disadvantage of this proposal is that the effective length and efiiciency of the nozzle is reduced.

Another proposal consists of a number of wire skids or runners mounted at spaced distances from the mouth of the nozzle and absolutely transversely to the axis of the nozzle. Such proposal has proven unsatisfactory because the transverse wire skids mark a rug with narrow grooves resulting in an unpleasant appearance. This problem is overcome by providing skids that are inclined at angles to the direction of movement of the nozzle. The inclined skids provide paths of mild agitation of the nap or surface or a rug. Straight skids, on the other hand, merely sink into the nap resulting in the unsightly grooves and little if any agitation.

In addition to the foregoing, the length of nap varies from one rug to another. The problem is further complicated by the use of rug padding. For example, a short-mapped rug requires an entirely different adjustment of a nozzle, depending upon the use of padding. The device of the present invention is a flexible frame responsive to the application of pressure, whereby it is adaptable to both long and short-napped rugs with or without padding. 7

Further, the device of the present invention permits the use of the floating brush which is used for supplemental cleaning where air alone will not dislodge certain types of litter. By extending the skid members at sufficiently spaced distances around the mouth of the nozzle the brush may be used at the option of the operator. Moreover, many rug guards are provided with additional clamping means for attaching to a cleaner nozzle thereby increasing their cost of manufacture. The. device of the present invention, being composed of a wire atent O a frame, is inherently spring-biased, so that it may be stretched slightly to permit attachment and detachment from the cleaner nozzle.

Finally, current rug guards for suction cleaner nozzle have hard or sharp exposed edges which mark furniture and baseboards. The rug guard of the present invention is provided with a soft bump absorbing material on the exposed surface.

The device of the present invention satisfies these problems and disadvantages without creating new ones. It is a wire frame construction having front and rear longitudinal reenforcement members attachable to the external surface of the nozzle of a suction cleaner above the lips forming the mouth. In addition, the frame is provided with a number of connecting skid members extending between the longitudinal members and inclined at acute angles with the axis of the mouth of the nozzle, rather than extending absolutely perpendicular thereto. The skid members at opposite ends of the frame are bowed members disposed between the longitudinal members. The intermediate skid members extending from the front longitudinal member include rear longitudinal portions which are connected to the end skid members near the rear longitudinal member, whereby the application of a pressure to the nozzle causes the spring-biased skid members to yield to permit closer application of the mouth of the nozzle to the rug.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle that overcomes the various difliculties heretofore encountered.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle that eliminates the execessive drawing of shag rugs into the mouth of a suction cleaner nozzle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle which permits the optional use of a floating brush for supplemental cleaning of the rug.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rug guard attachment for cleaning shag rugs which includes wire skids inclined at an acuate angle to the direction of movement of the nozzle thereby eliminating the marking of the rug with narrow grooves.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle which includes wire skids which are sufficiently flexible to permit the application of pressure to the nozzle when needed for the cleaning of rugs having different types of nap.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle which is provided with a bumper coating on exposed portion which may come into contact with furniture and baseboards as a result of ordinary use.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved rug guard attachment for suction cleaner nozzle which incorporates the foregoing desiderata in an inexpensive manner.

These and other objects apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and claims may be obtained the stated result achieved and described difficulties overcome by the discoveries, principles, apparatus, parts, combinations, subcombinations and elements which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following statement, a preferred embodiment of whichillustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles-is set forth in the following description, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part thereof.

In the accompanying drawings which are illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention by way of example, and in which similar numerals refer to similar parts thereof, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle attached to the lower end of a suction cleaner wand, showing the rug guard attached to the nozzle;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rug guard attachment;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the rug guard attachment;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the rug guard attached to the nozzle;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the nozzle, taken on line 55 of Fig. 1, showing the rug guard in elevation attached thereto, and showing the floating brush in the upper, non-operative position; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the nozzle,-

similar to Fig. 5, with the rug guard attached thereto and showing the floating brush in the lowered position as well as showing the alternate position of the intermediate skid members.

In Fig. 1, a rug guard, generally indicated at 1, is attached to a nozzle 2 having a tubular portion 3 and a downwardly flared portion 4. The tubular portion 3 of the nozzle 2 is attached to the lower end of a tubular conduit or wand 5. The upper end of the wand 5 is attached to a hose 6 which is connected to a source of suction (not shown) such as a suction cleaner unit.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5 the nozzle 2 includes substantially parallel front and rear lips 7 and 8 which define a mouth 9 which communicates with the tubular portion 3. Behind the rear wall of the nozzle 2 is a floating brush having conventional means for raising and lowering it between inoperative and operative positions, as shown respectively in Figs. 5 and 6. As will be set forth hereinbelow the operation of the brush is not inhibited by the attachment of the rug guard 1.

The rug guard 1 is preferably a wire frame having limited resilient or spring-biased properties. The frame includes front and rear members 11 and 12 as well as a number of interconnecting skid members or runners including end skid members 13 and 14 and intermediate skid members 15 and 16. All of the skid members 1316 I extend rearwardly from the front member 11.

When the rug guard 1 is attached to the nozzle 2, the front and rear members 11 and 12 are disposed longitudinally with respect to the mouth 9 of the nozzle 2 and the skid members 13--16 extend transversely thereof. In addition, the interconnecting members 13-16 are disposed at angles to the-front and rear members 11 and 12 as well as to the lips 7 and 8, or to the mouth 9, or longitudinal axis of the nozzle 2. at least of each skid member 13, 14, 15 and 16 are disposed substantially in vertical planes which pass through the front member 11 or through the axis of the nozzle 2 at an acute angle thereto. In other words, the skid members are inclined at acute angles to the usual direction of movement of the nozzle 2. Thus the skid member 1316, not being absolutely transverse or perpendicular to the frame members 11 and 12 do not form marks in the surface of a rug which would be true if the skids extended absolutely perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle, or in strict alignment with the usual back and forth movement of the nozzle 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the skids 13 and 15 are inclined on one side of the axis of the tubular portion 3 and the skids 14 and 16 are inclined on the other side of said axis.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the skid members are arcuate; that is, they are generally bowed between the front and rear members 11 and 12. All of the skids are spaced below the mouth 9 of the nozzle 2 to prevent a shag rug from entering the interior of the nozzle. Thus, the intermediate skids 15 and 16, being connected to the front member 11, extend around the front lip 7 clearing the same and rearwardly therefrom below the rear lip 8.

As shown in Fig. 4, the intermediate skids 15 and 16:

Viewing Fig. 4, portions are generally L-shaped and include longitudinal portions 17 and 18 which extend to opposite ends of the frame of the rug guard 1 where they are firmly secured, such as by welds at 1711 and 18a. Inasmuch as the end skids 13 and 14 may be either extensions of the rear member 12, or separate members attached thereto at the rear portion of the frame, the longitudinal portions 17 and 18 may be welded either to the extremities of the rear member 12 at which place the rear extremities of the separate end skids 13 and 14may also be secured. The front ends of the skids 15 and 16 are attached to the front frame member 11, such as by a weld at 15a.

The end skids 13 and 14 have similar configurations. They include front vertical portions 19 and 20, the upper ends of which are secured to the opposite extremities of the front frame 11 at 13a and 14a, respectively. At the front lip 7 of the nozzle 2 the end skids 13 and 14 have shoulder portions 21 and 22, respectively, which form angles with the vertical portions 19 and 20, respectively. These shoulders 21 serve as seats for the lower surface of the front lip 7 when the rug guard 1 is attached to the nozzle 2, and the bowed rearward portions of skids 13 and 14 have substantial clearance below and behind the rear nozzle lip 8 and the brush 10a regardless of the adjusted position of the brush, as shown in Figs.v

5 and 6.

Inasmuch as the rug guard 1 is composed of wire members rigidly secured together, the frame is resilient or spring-biased in the shape shown in the drawing. In order to attach or remove the rug guard 1 from the nozzle 2, it is necessary to stretch the frame slightly out of its normal position. In its unstretched state the distance between the rear member 12 and each vertical portion 19 and 20 of the end skids 13 and 14, respectively, is less than the distance between the rear member 12 and the front edge of the front lip 7. The guard 1 is attached by placing the'rear member 12 against the back of the nozzle 2. The guard 1 is then rotated about the rear member 12 and stretched simultaneously until the distance between the member 12 and the vertical portions 19 and 20 exceeds that between the member and the front lip 7. Thus, the frame may be rotated until the front lip 7 abuts and is resiliently clamped by the shoulder portions 21 and 22. Upon release of the stretched guard 1 the vertical portions 19 and 20 return to normal shape in which the distance between the rear member 12 and said shoulder portions is slightly less than the distance between the rear member and the front edge of the front lip 7.

In order to remove the guard 1 from the nozzle 2 the reverse operation takes place. Thus, the rug guard 1 depends upon the resilience or spring-biased character of its frame construction for attachment to the nozzle 2. However, the resilient character of the frame 1 permits its use on nozzles having a maximum amount of production variations due to polishing and grinding operations.

The rug guard 1 may be used either with or without the brush 10 in operating position as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In Fig. 5 the brush 10 is shown in the elevated position where it is out of operation, and in Fig. 6 the brush is shown in the lowered position where the bristles 10a are positioned for contacting the rug surface. In the lowered position, the brush 10 does not interfere with the skids 13-16 which, as shown in Fig. 6, are well spaced below the bristles 10a.

Ordinarily, the assembly of the nozzle 2 and the guard 1 is moved over a rug in a backward and forward motion so that the arcuate shaped skids 13-16 glide over a rug surface and permit the nap to commingle with the air being sucked into the mouth 9 of the nozzle 2 without permitting the rug to be excessively sucked into the nozzle 2 which would inhibit movement of the nozzle over the rug. The extent to which the rug is drawn into the nozzle depends upon several factors including the length of the nap as well as the thickness or weight of the back of the rug. With some rugs, a proper cleaning may occur when merely gliding the rug guard 1 over a rug. However, with other rugs it may be necessary to apply pressure to the nozzle in order to deflect the intermediate skids 15 and 16 to the broken line position 23 (Fig. 6). In this manner the rug nap comes into closer contact with the suction operation of the cleaner, resulting in a more satisfactory cleaning operation.

When the guard 1 is depressed the intermediate skids 15 and 16 olfer very little resistance to being deflected, because their rear portions extend longitudinally in opposite directions to the ends of the guard frame, rather than being connected to central portion of the rear member 12. By providing the intermediate skids 15 and 16 with the longitudinal portions 17 and 18, respectively, the skids are deflectable to the position 23 as shown in Fig. 6. Likewise, due to the resilience or spring-biased character of the frame, the skid members 15 and 16 return to their normal positions when released.

Finally, the front member 11 is provided with a covering 24 of shock-absorbing material, such as a plastic, which extends from one end of the member to the other. The covering 24 serves as a bumper to minimize the marking of furniture, baseboards, etc., when the assembly of the nozzle 2 and guard 1 are in use. Moreover, the cover 24 covers the welded joints 13a, 14a and 15a, which under normal conditions if not covered would be uncomfortable when handled by the operator.

Accordingly, the rug guard for a suction cleaner nozzle of the present invention is an improvement over other constructions for several reasons. The present rug guard prevents excessive amounts of the rug from being drawn into the nozzle during the rug cleaning operation. By providing skid members which are not parallel to the direction of backward and forward movement of the assembly the present rug guard glides over the surface of a rug without leaving unsightly skid marks therein. In addition, the rug guard is so constructed that the normal operation of the nozzle may be continued including the use of the floating brush where desirable to loosen dirt that is particularly adherent to the nap of the rug. Moreover, the rug guard, being composed of Wire is a spring-biased member which is easily attached and detached from the nozzle merely by springing the frame out of shape temporarily during the attachment and detachment operations. At the same time, the intermediate skids are so attached to the frame that they may be depressed where necessary to provide closer action between the mouth of the nozzle and the rug.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown.

Having now described the feature, construction and principles of invention, the characteristics of the new rug guard attachment for suction cleaner nozzle, and the advantageous, new and useful results provided; the new and useful discoveries, principles, parts, elements, combinations, subcombinations, structures and arrangements, and mechanical equivalents obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle having front and rear lips forming an elongated mouth, including a wire frame adapted to be detachably mounted on the nozzle, the frame including front and rear longitudinal members, the frame also including two end and two intermediate bowed skid members connected to the front longitudinal member, the end skid members extending rearwardly and joining the rear longitudinal member, the intermediate skid members each being gen-' erally. L-shaped and having. rear longitudinal portions connected to the end skid members at locations near the rear longitudinal member, the end skid members being bowed from front to rear, the L-shaped skid members each having a portion bowed from the front longitudinal member to the rear longitudinal portion of the skid member, the bowed skid member portions opening concavely upward, the bowed portions of the intermediate skid members extending downwardly from the longitudinal members a greater distance than the bowed end skid members, the longitudinal portions of the intermediate skid members permitting upward flexing of the bowed portions of the intermediate skid members relative to the bowed end skid members, and the bowed skid members providing frame resilience for lateral separation of the longitudinal members to permit detachable mounting of the longitudinal members over the nozzle lips.

2. A rug guard attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle having front and rear lips forming an elongated mouth, including a wire frame adapted to be detachably mounted on the nozzle, the frame including front and rear longitudinal members, the frame also including at least four end and intermediate bowed skid members connected to the front longitudinal member, the end skid members extending rearwardly and joining the rear longitudinal member, the intermediate skid members each having rear longitudinal portions connected to the end skid members at locations near the rear longitudinal member, there being angular shoulders formed in the end skid members adjacent the front longitudinal member, the bowed skid members opening concavely upward, the intermediate skid members extending downwardly from the longitudinal members a greater distance than the end skid members, the bowed and longitudinal portions of the intermediate skid members permitting upward flexing of the intermediate skid members relative to the end skid members, and the bowed skid members providing frame resilience for lateral separation of the longitudinal members to permit detachable mounting of the longitudinal members over the nozzle lips with the end skid member shoulders seated against the front nozzle lip,

3. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle having front and rear lips forming an elongated mouth, a wire frame rug guard detachably mounted on the nozzle, the frame including front and rear longitudinal members, the frame also including two end and two intermediate bowed skid members connected to the front longitudinal member, the end skid members extending rearwardly and joining the rear longitudinal member, the intermediate skid members each being generally L-shaped and having rear longitudinal portions connected to the end skid members at locations near the rear longitudinal member, the end skid members being bowed from front to rear, the L- shaped skid members each having a portion bowed from the front longitudinal member to the rear longitudinal portion of the skid member, the bowed skid member portions opening concavely upward, the bowed portions of the intermediate skid members extending downwardly from the longitudinal members a greater distance than the bowed end skid members, the longitudinal portions of the intermediate skid members permitting upward flexing of the bowed portions of the intermediate skid members relative to the bowed end skid members, the rearward bowed portions of the skid members being located below, behind and spaced from the rear nozzle lip, and the bowed skid members providing frame resilience for lateral separation of the longitudinal members to permit detachable mounting of the longitudinal members over the nozzle lips.

4. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle having front and rear lips forming an elongated mouth, a floating brush mounted on the nozzle movable between raised and lowered positions, a wire frame rug guard detachably mount- 4 ed on the nozzle, the frame including: front. and: rear longitudinal members, the: framealso; including at least four end and intermediate bowed skidamemhers con.- nected to the front longitudinal member, theend; skid. members extending rearwardlysand joiningthe rear longitudinal member, the intermediate skid members each having rear longitudinal: portions connected to the .end skid members at. locationsv near the rear longitudinal. member, there: being angular shoulders formed in theend skid members adjacent. the frontilongitudinal' member, the bowed skid membersopeningt concavely upward; the intermediate skid membersexten'ding' downwardly from the longitudinal members a greater distance than the end skid members, the bowed and longitudinal portions. of the intermediate skid membersv permittingupward flexing of the intermediateflskidi members relative to the end skid members, the angular shoulders beingseated onthe front nozz1e-lip;,rearwar-d' bowed'portions of, the endskidi, membersiextending below, behind and spaced fromv the:

rear nozzle lip" and the-floating brush in any position thereof, the intermediateskid member bowed; portions:

843,674 Funk Feb. 12, 1907 1,667,082 Robinson Apr. 24, 1928' 1,994,616 Leitzell Mar. 19, 1935 2286,81 8 Leathers June 16', 1942 2,591,262 Humphrey Apr. 1, 1952 2,737;680 Robison Mar. 13, 1956' 

